Signal system.



N. B. CREGIER.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.5.1911- RENEWED JAN. 4, 191a.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

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SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLRCATION FILED 1AN.5.19H- RENEWED JAN. 4. 19l8.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918 3 SHEETS-*SHEET 2- Inventor". Nflanlm Cregz'er.

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N. B. CREGIER. SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5. 1911. RENEWED JAN.4.1918.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- J J J 3 J E NATHANIEL BANKS CREGIER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application filed J'anuary 5, 1911, Serial No. 600,989. Renewed January 4, 1918. Serial No. 210,377.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHANIEL B. CREGIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in combined signal and telephone systems, and particularly to systems that are adapted for use for fire alarm telegraph purposes and it is an object of the invention, among other things, to arrange the system so that a pair of metallic conductors may be used for each box or substation, the system being thus operable when desired by a completed metallic circuit.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for using ground connections, in' addition to a single pair of metallic conductors, affording a system in which two distinct circuits or paths from each box or sub-station to the central station or oflice is provided and so arranged that im-v pulses or signals may be received over both paths or circuits simultaneously or alternately or over either one or the other sepa rately as may be desired.

It is also the purpose to provide a system in which grounded or metallicvcircuits are used, with means for taking records of the impulses or signals transmitted, whether the system be operated through its grounded connections or through its complete metallic circuit connections.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system having relays or signal devices so arranged within a circult'that one or more relays or signal devices Wlll be common to all the lines and will operate with impulses through the ground only, While other relays or signal devices will operate only when the line is metalhcally closed. a

It is also an object of the invention to provide a system of the type mentioned, in v which recorders are provided whlch are common to all the lines, but which are capable of being cut off with respect to any individual line or lines, and duplicate or extra recorderssubstituted.

The invention further has for its object the provision of a system by which a preliminary, manually closed and independent alarm from each box or sub-station may be given in advance of the alarm signals sent in by the character wheel or mechanism at such box or substation, which preliminary alarm will cause the operation audibly and visually of signals associated with each circuit, the preliminary Warning thus obtained being especially valuable in the event of a failure of the box-mechanism to operate properly.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a system of the type mentioned, in which a series of circuits are perpetually electrically closed, affording opportunity for making an absolute test of the system or any of its lines at any time.

The system forming the subject matter of the present invention is provided with an auxiliary circuit which can be connected with the main lines When there is trouble at any point thereon, the arrangement of the circuit thus connected up being such that a record of signals or impulses will be made whether the line connections are short circuited, grounded or the line is open at any point on either conductor. In this manner records are made even though there is trouble upon the line at any point.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a fire alarm signal system in which an all metallic circuit is provided and extended to each engine house of the system, the said all metallic circuit being also provided with rounded connections the system embracing urther a signal arranged at the central station and capable of operation by a circuit completed through the grounded connections of the system.

It is also an object of the invention to provide conductors extending from the central station to the engine house of the system and arranged with ground connections therefor, adapted to be completed by the wheels or movement of any vehicles which leave the engine house, whereby a signal is operated in the central station indicating that the fire company has responded to the call, the mechanism being so arranged also that a signal can be further sent to the central station when the fire apparatus has been returned to the engine house.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide such a system with metallic connections extending to individual engine houses which can be used not only for indicating when the engine leaves the house and is returned, but which is also capable of use as a telephone line for the purpose vidual c1rcu1t which is capable ofbeing con nected with the main line whenever it is desired to individualize incoming signals or impulses over the main line.

- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a map indicator showing the manner of displaying indicating light signals in connection with a diagram of streets;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical view showing connections by which a signal is transmitted to the central station over the line wires showing that the engine has departed. and also illustrating means for using a telephone at the engine house and obtainin connection with the central station for tal ing therewith. Y

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a detail of a telegraph setthat may be used in the central station in telegraphing to a box or sub-station and actuating a polarized bell therein.

Fig.7 is a diagram illustrating the modi fication using a normally closed circuit, also showing a plurality of signal box circuits connected to the devices in the central station common to a number of individual lines.

In carrying out the features of the invention'a central station is employed having connection with the main line wires which extend from said station to all parts of the system. There is also employed an inside circuit which is employed for operating all of "the mechanism used within or about the station. The various circuits and connections and the apparatus operated thereby have been indicated upon the diagram in the drawing and the invention will now be described, reference being had thereto.

The line conductors are indicated in the diagram at 1 and 2" and are connected with a battery, as at '3. The said line conductor 2 extends to all of the call boxesof the fire alarm system, one of such call boxes or stations being indicated within the dotted line The circuit provided for the inside or statlon apparatus is provided with the main conductors 5 and 6 which are connected with an actuating battery or batteries 7. The actuating battery 3 of the line wires is so employed at each engine house connected that impulses may be sent through the ground connection at 8 from any one of the stations 4, there being a ground connection 9 with such station. The usual alarm producing mechanism at the station 4 is also capable circuit through the battery 3 over the line wires 1 and 2 which .operate the signals, sounding devices, lampsand'recording instruments located at the central station.

One of the line conductors as 1 also includes the winding 10 of a differential relay mechanism 11 at the central station and also a winding 12 at a relay 13 at said station. The conductor 2 of the main line also includes winding 14 of the relay 11 arranged parallel with the winding 10 when a current is passed at the same time through the winding 14. At such a time a relay 11 would not be affected while the relay 13 would impart impulses to the lamps, recording instruments and sounding devices employed at the central station, and also closing a circuit through a relay for setting a recording device, which will be hereinafter fully described.

The relay 13 is so connected, that only the metallic closing of-the line wires will actuate the same and cause it to send impulses to the lamps 15 and 16 and the relay 17 of the sounding device or tap-bell 18. At such time the current from the battery 3 passes over both of the line wires and 2 and the windings 10 and 14 of the relay 11 are neutralized and the said relay is not operated.

lamps 15 -and 16 and sounding device or tap-v bell 18.

Associated with the circuit which causes the actuation of the said lamps and sounding; device, is a recording instrument 22 which is set into operation by the actuation of the relay 23. The relay 23 is so connected with the lamp circuits 15 and 16 that it is actuated when the flashes or signals are sent to said lamps. The recorder 22 is usually of the ordinary pen operating type adapted to make marks or designations upon a strip or roll. The recorder 22 is commonto all of the lines of the sub-station but may be cutofl' from any individual line and left for actuation by the others by the use of an individual circuit and plug therefor as will be hereinafter more fully described.

. The first circuit employed, however, in

turning in an alarm at a box or station 4 is a ground circuit which is closed by contacts 24 and 25 which are manually temporarilybrought together in pulling down the usual hook or lever that is commonly employed at such alarm boxes for setting the mechanism therein in operation. Upon closing the circuit at the contacts 24 and 25 a circuit through the battery 3 and the ground 8 including the windings of a relay 26 is completed. The current of the battery then passes over the line wire 2, winding 14 of relay 11, and the branch connection there with at 27 The contact 24 is also connected by a branch conductor 28 through which the current reaches the ground at 9. The ground circuit thus automatically completed operates the relays 11 and 26, adjustable group relay 26 closes a circuit through the recorder 29 which gives a preliminary mark upon the recording strip indicating that an alarm is to follow closely. Thecircuit completed by the relay 26 is connected with the bus bars 5 and 6 so as to include the battery 7 by conductors 30 and 31, armature 32 and conductor 33.

Conductor 33 extends to a key mechanism 34 of ordinary type which when set in one direction engages the contacts 35 directing the current through the winding of the recorder 29. When the key is set in the opposite direction it directs the current through the contacts 36 to the winding of a sounding mechanism 37 as clearly indicated in the diagram of Fig. 1. The group recorder 29 is common to all of the signal station box connections that come into the central station and under ordinary conditions insures the obtaining of an indelible record or the operating of a sounder whenever a call comes in. As heretofore stated the contacts 24 and 25 only produce a temporary grounding of the circuit through the battery 3 and a preliminary operation of the recording mechanism 29 or the sounder 37 as the case may be, and also the lighting of lamps as will be hereinafter fully described which gives a preliminary visual permanent signal of an incoming call and indicates the box or station from which the call has been sent.

As the character wheel of the signal box 4 begins to send'impulses by means of the contacts 20 and 21, the said contacts are also forced far enough to one side to engage a third contact 38 which again completes a circuit from the ground 9 and conductor 28 to the line wire 2 and through the bat: tery 3, relay 26 and ground 8 so that the recording device 29 is again operated. This ground connection will be completed as often as the impulses are sent by the character wheel at the box and will thus produce and record in exact correspondence with the flashes at the lamps 15 and 16 and with the sound of the tap-bell 18. The lamps 15 and 16 are preferably of one color as for instance white to distinguish from signals over other lamps used in the system which Will be hereinafter described.

The ground circuit described through the ground 8 and 9 and the battery 3 together with the line wire 2 carries a current through one of the windings of the relay 11, namely a winding 14 so that the said 'relay is operated by the ground circuit operating the drop armature indicated at 39. In this way a circuit is completed through lamps 40 and 41 and through relay 42 over conductors 43 and 44 with the local bus bars 5 and 6 and the battery 7. As the armature 39 remains in the position to which it is brought by the first closing of the ground circuit until it is reset as will be hereinafter described, the lamps 40 and 41 will remain lighted. The relay 42 actuates an armature 45 which completes a circuit through a lamp 46, the lamp circuit being connected by a conductor 47, to local bus bars 6 on one side of the circuit, and by conductor 48 with the local bus bar 5 upon the other side of the circuit, and the battery 7 The lamp 46 is thus also lighted and is so located as to be a warning to the operator at the central station that a call isto come into the station over one of the lines. The lamp 40 is one of a number of lamps which is placed upon a convenient map-as 49, shown in Fig. 4 located in the central station. One of said lamps 40 is placed on themap at the point where the local sub-station is positioned in the locality or section. The positions of such lamps upon the map are indicated at 50 and 51. Of course as many lamps are employed as there are call boxes throughout the section covered by the fire alarm system. The lamp 41 designates one of a number of lamps which are conveniently located in the central station opposite a designating index, giving the number of the alarm boxes and also the street or streets where the same are located.

Associated with the circuit of the lamp 46 is a circuit for a sound mechanism which is normally adapted to be closed by relay 52 which is actuated when the lamp 46 is lighted. The armature of the relay 52 completes a circuit through wires 53 and 54 which are connected with the main conductors 5 and 6 and the battery 7. Included in the line 54 is a gong mechanism 55 which is set in operation by the completion of the circuit through the armature of the relay 52. A key or switch 56 is located in the branch conductor 54, which can be operated to cut out the gong mechanism, as it is usually undesirable to allow it to continue ringing. The lights 40 and 41 and 46 remain lighted until the armature 39 is restored and this is' accomplished by a manually operated key;

which closes a circuit through the third winding 57 of the relay 11 with the local bus bar 5 and 6 and the battery 7 of the centralstation. The actuation of the winding 57 may also be accomplished for the same purpose of restoring the armature 39 by placing a plug in jack 58 as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Acondenser 62 however,is interposed in the conductor 61, for preventing a passage of a direct current at the bell. The bell will, however, always respond to. an alternating current sent. over the line wires 1 and 2 from the central station and can be thus used to call a party to the boxfor telephoning, providing ofcourse the said party is in.

the immediate vicinity of said box. A switch orkey 63 is provided inthe box also for shunting the condenser for telegraph or-code signaling purposes. A jack 64: is also connected with the'branch wires 60 and '61 so that an ordinary telephone hand set maybe.

plugged in at the same ack and a connection can thus be obtained with the central office or station for communicating therewith by telephone. Y

In the central oflice the telephone connection is obtained through conductors or wires 65''and contact-springs 66 and 67 together with conductors68. The c0ndu'ctors'68 are '35 connected with contacts 69 which maybe connected at any time with the conductors I 1' and 2 bythe moving of contacts 69. A circuit is thus capable of completion fromthe telephone in the central station with the teleset at the phone which may be plugged ,in' at any one ofthe fire alarm boxes. In order to be able to test the different boxes also, the telephone spreading thecontacts 67 so as to disconnect them from the contacts 66 and bring them into engagement with: the contacts 71 of a I i pair of conductors 72 which form leads from atcsting'generator as indicated in Fig. 1 the connection from the testing generator being thus possible from'the central station with any of the local call-boxes or sub-station's.

.in'g may be employed.

. 5 i The movement ofthe circuit changing conmanually operated automatically eifected byl means of a key which ispreferably restored to 'its'normal position; The contacts are also operated by a manually operated'key which, however, is generally manually restored.

- The operation of the thi the relay 11 for resetting the annature 39 as heretofore referred to, is usually accomtacts 67 is usually plished by a manually operated key arranged to move the contact 7 3 against the contact 74.

wire of the central station may be cut out by ring upon the outside lines 1' and 2, it is v dition.

recording c1rcu1t braces .a two' way plug sorted in. the jack 58 rd winding 57 of wire 5 while the contact 7 4 is connected by a conductor 75 with the said winding 57. The winding 57 reaches the other local bus bar 6 through the conductor 44 as heretofore described. The jack sleeve 58 is interposed in the conductor leading to the winding 57 as shown in Fig. 1. At the jack 76 are employed which are adapted to break the connections with the line wires 1 and 2 at the central station so that a plug inserted in the jack sleeve 58 and arranged to spread the contacts 76 will cut out all of the oflice connections back of said jack at the same time furnishing battery to sleeve 58 to restore armature 39. I

As there are agreat many lines from different boxes coming into thecentral or oifice,

"son a jack 77 is provided in the conductor the relay 23. In-

which is connected with Fig. 3 a local recording and sounding mechanism 1s indicated in diagrammatical form,

. the plug 7 8 of whichv may be inserted in the jack 77 so as to disconnect the individual box line which has sent in the call from the recording mechanism 22. The plug 78 is sleeve 58 a pair of contactsprovided with a conductor 9 which includes 7 .a pen register 80 and beyond which register be connected with the proper line it may batteries 7. The conductor 79 also includes a key or switch mechanism '81 which may be operated to cutout the pen recorder 80 and send the impulses over a conductor 82 which includes a sounder 83 of ordinary construction. By the operation of the key 81 eitherthe pen recorder 80 or the sounder 83 may-becaused to recelve the'incoming impulse or message from the individual'boi'r. 1 v p In the event of trouble of any kind occur- 1mportant to provide a meanswhereb alarms or messages sent in may still ereceived and recorded .nntil opportunity is commonly designated as the hospital circuit,' is provided 'andemheretofore described all of the trail oflice connections, from the linewhich is disabled; I Inasmuch as a battery plug 84:, the said plug being connected therewith upon one si the I I Anyjdesired or well known method of testa given for correcting the trouble-and restori ing all-of the mechanism to its-normal con- For'this purpose-a trouble auxiliary 1 84 which can be inthereby cutting ;out as 5 inside or cen the battery 3 is thus cut off, 85 is used in connection with the I de by a conductor 86. 13%

Upon the other side the plug is provided With a conductor 87 which normally reaches the other side of the battery through contact 88, contact 89, conductor 90, relay 91 and conductor 92, forming component parts of a different key mechanism. The connection between the conductor 87 and the conductor 90 is so arran ed, however, that the relay 91 can be made to respond to either impulses through ground or by the metallic closing of the line. \Vhen the contacts 88 and 89 are in engagement with each other, the hospital circuit is prepared to take care of grounded lines when the line is metallically completed.

If the line is short circuited or open the contacts 89 are spread so as to be disconnected from the contacts 88 and brought into engagement with contacts 93, so that the circuit through the ground, indicated at 94, is obtained and through either one of the conductors 86 and 87 of the plug. The completion of a circuit from the battery 85 through the relay 91 operates to close, by means of the armature 95, a circuit through the pen recorder mechanism 96. The recorder 96 is connected with the local bus bars 5 and 6 of Fig. 1. This gives opportunity to have the trouble cured and at the same time preserves a record at the office of all the incoming calls which can be acted upon in the usual wa rom the above description it will be evI- dent that the system forming the subject matter of the present invention is adapted for use both in connection with metallic circuits or ground impulses in receiving alarm calls from outlying stations or boxes. The number of call boxes of course may be multiplied to any desired extent for the requirements of the locality and the recording instruments 22 and 29 are common to all of the lines. Each individual line is provided with lamps 40 and 11 and with code signal or flash lamps 15 and 16. The pilot lamp 46 is common to all of the lines as is also the gong mechanism 55. Immediately upon receiving conflicting code signals as indicated by more than one lamp on map an individual circuit such as illustrated in Fig. 3 is switched into each circuit relieving the common recorder 22 and substitutin an individual recorder 80 for each indivicual signal. The hospital circuit is always'in readiness in the event of trouble occurring upon the line at any point. Telephone communication can also be obtained from any call box to the central station, and viceversa if someone is at or near thesignal box.

As heretofore indicated the polarized bell 59 and the key 63 located in the local signal box or sub-station may be employed for telegraph purposes in connection with the central station. When telegraphic communication is thus to be used a telegraph set at the central station as illustrated in Fig. 6 in 'diagrammatical form, is plugged into the line at jack 58 connected with the signal box to be communicated with. The said telegraph set is provided with a plug 97 one side of which, as for instance the sleeve, is connected by a conductor 98 with the wire 1 of battery 3, and the other side of the said plug, as for instance, the tip is connected with a conductor 99 which passes to a relay 100 and from this a conductor 101 leads to a telegraph key 102. The said key 102 is connected with the wire 2 of battery 3, it being the same as wire 2 indicated in Fig. 1.

By the operation of the key 102 the impulses may be sent to the signal boxor substation, each movement of the key producin a sound of the polarized bell 59 at the signzfi box and making it possible to send the usual code messages. The completing of the circuit through the relay 100 also operates an armature 103 which completes a circuit through the conductors 5 and 6 at the station, the said conductors being the same as indicated in the diagram of Fig. 1, the circuit completed by said armature 103 passing through the winding of a telegraph sounder as 10 1.

In this manner the sounder 104 is in position to receive impulses from the signal box whenever the key 63 therein is operated. Thus code signals can be returned from the box to the central station,

The present system is also arranged for indicating at the central station the fact that the engine has left the engine house and at a later period, to show when it has been returned thereto. A portion of the same connections are also employed for obtaining telephonic communication with the engine house. The means for accomplishing this purpose'is clearly indicated in the diagram of Fig. 5 in which a contact making device, as for instance a plunger 105, is located in the floor of the engine house immediately in front of one of the wheels of the engine or other fire apparatus. A springcontact 106 which normally elevates the pin is adapted to be depressed thereby as the engine or other vehicle leaves the house, completing a circuit through a ground connection at 107 and through contact 108, conductor 109, the winding of a relay 110, conductor 111, the contacts 112 of the jack 113, conductor 114, the windings 115 of a relay 116 and thus to conductor 5, being the same as shown in the diagram of Fig. 1, through battery 7 and to the ground indicated at 177 of Fig. 1.

The circuit thus completed operates an armature 118 at the relay 116, making a connection between conductor 119 of the lamp 120 and bus bar '6 which is connected with the battery 7 as in Fig. 1, the current passing thus to bus bar 5 and back to the map or index lamp 120 by means of conductor 141.

; through the The passing of the current through the lock up relay 110 causes it to operate armature 134 thus completing a ground connection at 136 through a back contact release key 135.

The ground connection is thus preserved lamp 120 for keeping the same lighted until the engine has been returned to the station and put in place again back of the plunger 106. At that time the person in charge of the engine house, operates the back contact 135 for breaking the circuit through ground 136 and thus causesthe extinguishing of the light 120, so that those at the central station know that the-engine has returned to the engine house,

The fire alarm station 1n each instance is V and 138. Through the conductors 128 and 130, and 111 the telephone mechanism is capable of connection at the jack 113, through its contacts with the conductors leading to the bus bars 5 and 6 and the battery 7. In completing the circuit through the telephone mechanism by taking down the receiver in the usual way, a current is passed over bus bars 5 and 6 and through the battery 7 over both the windings 115 and 124 of the relay 116 so that the said windings do not affect the armature 118, the action of'one winding neutralizing that of the other. The

current from conductor 6 however passes through the winding 125 of the relay 123,

and thence tothe jack 113 over conductor 126 and contact 127, and from thence to the telephone mechanism. The passing of the current over the winding 12.5 operates the relay 123 for-closing the armature 122. A circuit is thus closed through lamp 132 making a signal in the central station indicating that parties at the fire engine house desire to communicate with the central station by telephone. The current through the lamp 132 passes over the conductor 133, conductor 141, bus bar 5, batteries 7, bus bar 6, conductor 121, armature 122, and conductor 131 to I the lamp 132. The lamp 132 is located in close. proximity to the particular jack 113 that is connected with the engine house sending the call and the plug of a telepho n'e mechanism at the central station is then inserted in the jack 113 so as to obtain communication with the engine house.

When it is desiredto call up the engine house from the central station a plug is inserted in the said jack 113 and a ringing current sent over the conductors 128 and 130 7 I operates telephone leads.

through the condenser 140 and the polarized bell 139, operating the same. Upon using the telephone the condenser 140 and the bell 139 are cut out, the connections with the jack 113 being thus established as heretofore described. v

ltwill be evident that-the system above described and operable in connection with the various signal boxes can be operated in a reverse condition, namely with a closed circuit to each box or alarm station, so that when the box mechanism or character wheel 19 operates, it will open thepair of con-' ductors for each impulse or signal and close -the ground contact with the wet or battery side of the circuit.

This is clearly illustrated. inv Fig. 7 in which all of the common and battery bus bar leads are shown to the left of dotted line 03-00, the signal box being numbered as before, the line wires 1 and 2 forming a closed metallic circuit, being the same but shown connected to their battery bus bars 151 and 152 respectively. Relay'l3 is permanently in circuit and its armature pulledup, and

with each impulse of the code signal wheel to a back contactthe reverse of its operation as shown in Fig. 1. No condenser is necessary, and the spring contact 20 is connected to the battery or wet side of the circuit.

The rest of the circ'uitsrand devices operating as in the normally open circuit, the different leads to other individual signal pairs being partly outlined at 160, the ground to the plus side of-the battery 7 being numbered 177.

Bus bar 153 is common to'the lighting circuit of flash code lamps 15 and 16 and battery 7 including common recorder relay '23.

Bus bar 154 is common to flash lamps and tap bell signal 18.

Bus bar 155 is common cuits of red map lamps 40 and index lamps 41 of each circuit together with common pilot lamp 46.

Bus bars 156 and 159 arecommon ringing leads, and bars 157 and 158 are common to In this figure," the contact 25 is shown connected direct to the operating lever-161 with its hook, for dia ammatic purposes, though the contacts ar separate and insulated from the hook in practical use.

What I claim is Y '1. A signal system comprising line wires extending from a central station to stations, the said linewires being adapted to send impulses through ground connections and through all metallic connections, a sourceof electrical energy connected with said line wires, a ground connectionwith said line to the light cirwires arranged upon one side of the source 7 of electrical energy,- a ground connection for operating a permanent visual signal in the central station.

2. A fire alarm signal system comprising line wires extending from the central station to individual engine houses, lamps arranged at the central station upon an indicating map of the locality, a relay mechanism at the central station capable of having a ground connection for completing a circuit a plurality of line wires extending on opposite sides of said battery terminating in various signal stations, normally open switch members on each of the line wires in said signal stations, a ground connection leading from one of the line wires adjacent the switch member in each station normally out of connection with the line wire, a single permanent ground connection on one side of the battery, a relay on said last named ground connection, a normally open local circuit controlled by said relay, and means for operating the switch members of the line wires at each station and simultaneously close the circuit to the ground, whereby a circuit will be completed through any one or more of the line wires and at the same time through the signal relay on the ground circuit to operate the latter and close the local circuit.

4. In a signal system, a plurality of pairs of line circuitsa single source of electrical energy for said circuits, a single permanent ground connection leading from one side of the source of electrical energy, a relay on said ground connection, a normally open local circuit controlled by said relay, a normally open ground connection on each line circuit on the opposite side of the source of electrical energy adapted t0v be automatically connected with the line circuit on closing of the latter to complete the ground circuit through the relay simultaneous with a circuit through the line circuit, means for closing the line circuit independent of the ground circuit, a relay on each line circuit, and a local signal circuit controlled by said relay, said relay adapted to operate only on the closing of the ground circuit. 1

5. In a signal system comprising a source of electrical energy, a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs, one pair to each substation; an individual differentially wound relay interposed in each pair of metallic conductors; a permanent signal circuit controlled by said relay, electrlcal contact making means in circuit with said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with said conductors; a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making means and the ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through either or both of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground.

6. In a signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a pluralityof metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs, one pair to each substation; an individual electrically operated signal device having a member intel-posed in one member of a pair and a second member, interposed in the other member of said pair; a permanent signal controlled by said system; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of connection with said conductors; a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in said circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making means and the ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through anyone or more of the metallic conductors and 'at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground.

7. In a signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs, one pair for each substation; an individual differentially wound relay interposed in each pair of metallic conductors; a permanent signal controlled by said relay; an individual electrically operated signal device interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with said conductors; a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed opposite poles of said source of electrical energy; an individual relay interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conduc tors; local circuits controlled by said relays, each circuit including a key jack normally closing the circuit and a relay controlling'a second local circuit, said second local circuit including a common register; electrical'contact making mean in circuit with said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including-a ground contact normally out of. electrical connection with said conductors; 'a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation foroperating the electrical contact making means and the ground 'contact whereby a metallic pircuit will be completed through anyone or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completinga circuit through the signal device interposed in cir- V cuit with said permanent ground.

9. A'signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs; an individual relay interposed in one member-of each pair of metallic conductors; local circuits controlled by each of said relays, each circuit includinga key jack normally closing the circuit and a relay controlling a second local circuit, said second local circuit including a common V circuit in parallel with the first mentioned local circuit including visible signals; electrical contact making means in circuit with. said pairs, one at each substation; .a ground circuit at each substationincluding a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with said conductors; a permanent ound connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed'in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact.

making means and the ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through any one or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing source ofelectrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed withsaid permanent ground; means at each substater; a third local.

'metal1ic cpnductors and at the same time opposite poles of said source of electrical till conductors connected thereto extending from energy to substations to form pairs; an individual relay interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; local cir-' cuits controlled by each of said relays, each circuit including a key jack normally clos ing the circuit and a relay controlling a second local circuit, said second local circuit including a common registe'r;-a third local circuit in parallel with-the first mentioned local circuit including visiblesignals and a.

local circuit including an audible signal; electrical contact makingmeans in circuit with said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuitat each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical relay';- and a fourth local circuit controlled by said last mentioned relay, said fourth connection with'saidconductors; a perma-- nent ground connected to one pole of said tion for operating the electrical contact;

making means and said ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed,

through any one 'or more-of the metallic com I ductors and at the same time completing a in circuit with said permanent ground.

11. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a pluralityof metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs; an individual relay interposed in one member of each pair 7 of metallic conductors; local circuits controlled by each of said relays, each circuit including a key jack normally closing the circuit; a common signal device controlled by said last mentioned relays; electrical contact making means in circuit with'said pairs, one at each substation ,a ground circuit at each substation includlng a ground contact normally out oi a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the-electrical contact making means and said ground contact whereby a metallic circuit willbe circuit through the signal device interposed completed through any one cr -more of the.

completing a circuit through the signal denent ground; an .individuali'zin" circuit in- "1 2s vice interposed in circuit with said permae f eluding a plug 'adaptedtobe inserted in.

electrical connection with said conductors; 1

said key jack, thereby disconnecting the common register, and an individual signal receiving device.

12. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs; an individual relay interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; local circuits controlled by each of said relays, each circuit including a key jack normally closing the circuit; a common signal device controlled by said last mentioned relays; electrical contact making means in circuit With said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out nent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making means and said ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through any one or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; an individualizing circuit including a plug adapted to be inserted in said key jack thereby disconnecting the common register, an individual signal receiving device, a twoway key, an individual register, and an audi- 'ble' signal device.

13. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs; an individual electrically operated signal device interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; a differential wound relay interposed in each pair of metallic con uctors; a local circuit controlled by said differential relay including visible signals; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation includin a ground contact normally out of electrica connection with said conductors; a permanent ground connected at one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit,

with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operatm tact making means and said ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through any one or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground. I

of electrical 1 connect1on with sald conductors; a-permathe electrical con- 14. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs;

an individual electrically operated signal device interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; a differentially wound relay interposed in each pair of meto one pole of said source of electrical en-- ergy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making means and said ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through any one'or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground.

15. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy. to substations to form pairs; an individual electrically operated signal device interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; a differentially wound relay interposed in each pair of metallic conductors; a local circuit controlled by said differential Wound relay including visible signals, a relay; a second local circuit controlled by said last mentioned relay includin a visible signal; a second relay; a third ocal circuit controlled by said second relay, including an audible alarm; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with said conductors; a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making means and said ound contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed throughany one or more of the metallic conductors and atthe same time completing a circuit throughthe signal device interposed in circuit With said permanent ound.

16. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic from opposite poles of said source of elec- I means and said g and said conductors connected thereto extending trical energy to substations to form pairs; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs, one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrlcal connection withrsaid conductors; a permanent ground connected to one pole of said source of electrical energy; a relay interposed in circuit with said ground; a local circuit controlled by said relay including. atwo-way two-pole key, a common register and a common audible signal device whereby either the common register'or common audible signal device may be connected in circuit; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making round contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through any one or more of the metallic-conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground.

17. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic.

conductors connected thereto extending from' opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs; an individual electrically operated signal device interposed in one member of each pair of metallic conductors; a differentially wound relay interposed in each pair of metallic conductors; a local circuit controlled by said differential relay including visible. signals and a relay; a second local circuit controlled by said last mentioned relay including a visible signal; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with said conductors; a permanent ground connected at one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; means at each substation for operating the electrical contact making means ound contact whereby a metallic circuit Wlll be completed through any one or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground a local circuit including a contact making device and a third winding on said difierential relay for restoring the armature of said relay.

18. A signal system comprising a, sourceof electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of-said source of electrical energy-to substations to form pairs; electrical contact making means in circuit with said pairs one at each substatioii; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground nent ground; means at each substation foroperating the electrical contact. making means and said ground contact whereby a metallic circuit will be completed through any one or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in cir-- cuit with said permanent ground; a jack key connected in circuit with each metallic pair; a hospital circuit including va plug adapted to be inserted in said jack key, 'a two-way two-pole key, a ground connected to said key and a signal recording device whereby the signal recording device may be operated through ground and either side of the line, or through themetallic line.

19. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs;

electrical signal devices connected in circuit with each pair'of conductors; electrical con- .tact making means in circuit with said pairs one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with said conductors; a permanent ground ermacuit with'said permanent groun' a two-way pa1r,of

two-pole key jack interposed in each conductors normally connecting in circuit said first mentioned electrical signal devices; a telephone circuit connected to. said two.-

con-. nected at one pole of said source of electrical energy; an electrically operated signal de-- means at each substation .for. the electrical" contact making way two-pole key jack whereby the telephone circuit may be bridged across a pair of conductors and vices cut out of circuit; a circuit bridged across said pairs at the substation includmg a telephone bell, and a telephone jack adapted to receive the plug of a telephone set.

20. A signal system comprising a source of electrical energy; a plurality of metallic conductors connected thereto extending from opposite poles of said source of electrical energy to substations to form pairs; electhe first named signal de- ,trical signal devices connected in circuit 7 with each pair of conductors; electrical con tact making means circuit with said pairs one at each substation; a ground circuit at each substation including a ground contact normally out of electrical connection with metallic circuit will'be completed through any one or more of the metallic conductors and at the same time completing a circuit through the signal device interposed in circuit with said permanent ground; a two-way two-pole key jack interposed in each pair of conductors normally connecting in circuit said first mentioned electrical signal de vices; a telephone circuit connected to said two-way two-pole key jack whereby said telephone circuit may be bridged across a pair of conductors and the first mentioned signal devices cut out; a circuit bridged across said pairs at the substation including a telephone bell, and a telephone jack adapted to receive the plug of a telephone set; a two-pole key jack interposed in a pair of conductors and normally closing the conductor circuits; a telegraph circuit including a plug adapted to be inserted in said two-pole key jack, a sounder and a telegraph key; and a telegraph key bridged across said pairs at each substation.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of December, 1910.

N. BANKS CREGIER. lVitnesses:

EDMUND A. S'rnAUsE, EARLE R. POLLARD. 

